The annual campaign to help needy children in Texas County at Christmas is once again underway.
Known as “Share Your Christmas,” the program is headquartered in the basement of the Lions Club Den on North U.S. Highway 63. Children enrolled are assigned case numbers, and people wishing to help are encouraged to “adopt” a specific case or provide general donations.
The following are summaries of some of this year’s needs.
Case 1 – Sleeping bags are on the wish list of these two girls, ages 7 and 11. They also need clothing, socks and pajamas (sizes 10 and 6X), shoes (sizes 2 and 13), and winter coats.
Case 2 – A little 1-year-old boy would love a new musical toy for Christmas. He also needs warm clothing, a snow suit (size 12-18 months), and size 4 shoes.
Case 3 – This 4-year-old boy likes Spiderman and is in need of size 5T pants and shirts, and size 10 shoes. His 2-year-old sister likes Dora or any other dolls, and needs size 2T clothing and size 4 shoes.
Case 4 – The special toy wish of this little girl who will turn 4 years old right after Christmas is a small bicycle with training wheels. She needs size 4-slim pants, 4T tops, and size 8 shoes, and her family is in need of hygiene and cleaning supplies.
Case 5 – Two little boys, ages 2 and 4, are hoping to get a race track with some cars for Christmas. They are in need of pants and shirts (sizes 4 and 7). The 2-year-old also needs a size 4 winter coat.
Case 6 – Three children, who are new to the area, are in need of help from someone in order to have gifts this Christmas. A 5-year-old girl needs size 5 clothing and size 11 shoes, and would like to have a Barbie doll. A 7-year-old boy wears size 7 clothing and size 13 shoes, and like musical instruments. Their 10-year-old sister needs size 14 ½ pants, 14-16 tops, and size 4 shoes, and would like some art supplies. The two girls also need warm coats.
Case 7 – Some new toy cars or Legos would make this 2-year-old boy very happy this Christmas. He also needs size 2T pants, 3T shirts and size 6 shoes.
Case 8 – These 7-year-old twin girls would like to have some new size 8 dresses and size 13 shoes. Their toy wishes are a Barbie playhouse and an art easel set.
Case 9 – Some toy monster trucks or Star Wars toys are the Christmas wish of this 5-year-old boy. He needs size 6 pants and shirts and size 12 shoes. His 4-year-old sister wants Barbie toys and needs size 5 clothing and size 9 shoes. Both children also need winter coats.
Case 10 – A 5-month-old baby girl is in need of warm clothing size 6-9 months, and size 2 shoes. Diapers and a coat or snowsuit are also needed, and she would be happy with any new baby toys.
As of Monday morning, 176 Texas County children had been enrolled in the Share Your Christmas program.
Two “Angel Trees” documenting enrolled children and their cases are set up in Houston, one at the Walmart Supercenter on U.S. Highway 63 and another at Untangled Salon on First Street in Houston.
Local organizations, groups or businesses that have contributed to Share Your Christmas this year include The Bank of Houston employees, Eagles Club, Roby Christian Church and Peace Chapel Church.
Program director Pat Miller said items needed for general donation include new or good used toys and clothing (especially children’s clothing and winter coats), and household items.
Donations and applications are accepted at the Lions Club from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Cash donations can be made Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Houston Herald office on Grand Avenue in Houston, or by mailing to Share Your Christmas, P.O. Box 170, Houston, Mo. 65483.
For more information, call Sara Miller at 417-457-6075 or Miller at 417-967-3234.
Cash donations can be made Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to5 p.m. at the Houston Herald office on Grand Avenue in Houston, orby mailing to Share Your Christmas, P.O. Box 170, Houston, Mo.65483.
For more information, call Sara Miller at 417-457-6075, or PatMiller at 417-967-3234.